In the Battle Against Modern-Day Pirates, the Pentagon Eyes Its Role Warily

US Navy effectiveness

Unllike some others, I understand that that Gates' and the Navy's lack of effectiveness here inaction is predominantly related to the inevitable collateral damage of a land-based attack. It is certainly hard to believe that the Navy doesn't WANT to use force against clearly defined enemies like these. However, they are not doing a very good job communicating this; further, they do need to answer the question of why radar and satellite intel is not resulting in better results. It occurs to me that there may well be a plan in the works that we don't know about. I hope so. Piracy should be an easy one to crush if you can pursue them to their bases.

What US navy exist for?

If US Navy doesn't want to do it's job - to protect sea trade from pirates - and instead produces free advices:

"These might include speeding up when pirates approach, and pulling up ladders when they try to board. "This isn't rocket science," Gates said."

Then may be we should stop financing US Navy, distribute money to merchant fleet to hire security guards (presumably doing job better), fire Robert Gates and pay some unemployed journalist to give such advices for much less money.

What US navy exist for?

If US Navy doesn't want to do it's job - to protect sea trade from pirates - and instead produces free advices:

"These might include speeding up when pirates approach, and pulling up ladders when they try to board. "This isn't rocket science," Gates said."

Then may be we should stop financing US Navy, distribute money to merchant fleet to hire security guards (presumably doing job better), fire Robert Gates and pay some unemployed journalist to give such advices for much less money.

Piracy

Obviously the US has radar equipment that enables them to monitor over-the-horizon small boats traveling from the coast. We use this type equipment to monitor, capture and destroy drug boats in the Caribbean destined to US shores. Why not use this same type equipment plus UAV aircraft to interdict the pirates?

If US and other countries are serious about stopping the pirates the technology exists to perform the task readily.

Piracy

The piracy situation in Somalia will continue on, despite the United Nations and alike squabbling over what to do about it, until someone actually takes action on it, and let us hope it is the Somalian government.

No to going ashore

Putting American troops onshore in Somalia would be another idiotic George W. Bush blunder.

pirates

HIRE BLACKWATER

Somalia Pirates

A good idea might be to outfit a group of "Q" ships like those used in the south Atlantic during the First World War. Armored ships that looked like commercial ships but actually were

heavily armed by hidden weapons that could presented suddenly to blow the attackers to pieces.